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Civil legal aid regret The House of Lords heard Lord Pannick’s motion to regret the Civil Legal Aid (Remuneration) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations on 7 May. Introducing the debate, Lord Pannick said that the regulations were just “one example of many where the changes which this Lord Chancellor is imposing are far more damaging than any disease which they purport to treat”. The debate drew cross-party support and 13 peers spoke in favour of the motion, highlighting defects both in the regulations – which came into effect in April and limit the availability of legal aid for proceedings in judicial review – and in the principle of having a non-lawyer as Lord Chancellor.
Bar Council Officers 2015 The Bar Council has announced the election of its Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Treasurer for 2015. Chairman-elect is Alistair MacDonald QC, Vice-Chairman elect is Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC and Treasurer-elect is Lorinda J Long. The new Officers take up their new posts in January 2015. Until then, Alistair MacDonald QC will continue to serve as Vice Chairman of the Bar.
Magna Carta conference Temple Church is holding an international conference on Magna Carta, Religion and the Rule of Law on Saturday 7 June.
Civil legal aid regret The House of Lords heard Lord Pannick’s motion to regret the Civil Legal Aid (Remuneration) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations on 7 May. Introducing the debate, Lord Pannick said that the regulations were just “one example of many where the changes which this Lord Chancellor is imposing are far more damaging than any disease which they purport to treat”. The debate drew cross-party support and 13 peers spoke in favour of the motion, highlighting defects both in the regulations – which came into effect in April and limit the availability of legal aid for proceedings in judicial review – and in the principle of having a non-lawyer as Lord Chancellor.
Bar Council Officers 2015 The Bar Council has announced the election of its Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Treasurer for 2015. Chairman-elect is Alistair MacDonald QC, Vice-Chairman elect is Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC and Treasurer-elect is Lorinda J Long. The new Officers take up their new posts in January 2015. Until then, Alistair MacDonald QC will continue to serve as Vice Chairman of the Bar.
Magna Carta conference Temple Church is holding an international conference on Magna Carta, Religion and the Rule of Law on Saturday 7 June.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, outlines the drug and alcohol testing options available for family law professionals, and how a new, free guide can help identify the most appropriate testing method for each specific case
In this wide-ranging interview, Professor Jo Delahunty KC, Family Law KC of the Year, talks to Anthony Inglese CB about the values that shaped her, the moment she found her vocation and, in an intensely personal call to arms, why time is running out for the legal aid Bar
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Thomas Roe KC and Andrew O’Kola respond to an article by Dr Leonardo Raznovich (Counsel , October 2025) – ‘Privy Council colonialism? Piercing the constitutional veil’
Chair of the Bar reports back
The client’s best interests could be well-served by sharing the advocacy with junior counsel more often than you might think – Naomi Cunningham and Charlotte Eves explore some less orthodox ways to divide the speaking role
